Perceived Value of Certification Among Certified, Noncertified, and Administrative Perioperative Nurses

This study was designed to determine similarities and differences in perceived value of certification among three groups of perioperative nurses. Responses to the Perceived Value of Certification Tool (PVCT), demographic questions, and certification experience questions were requested from 1,250 certificants, 2,000 noncertificants, and 1,250 administrators, with an overall response rate of 55.5%. Respondents agreed with 16 of 18 PVCT statements. Agreement was highest for intrinsic items. Respondents were less likely to agree with extrinsic items and did not agree that certification increases salary. All samples were significantly different from each other on the intrinsic construct. Noncertificants were significantly different from certificants and administrators on the extrinsic construct and the total PVCT score; certificants and administrators were not significantly different from each other. Age and experience variables were not related to PVCT constructs or total score. Certificants in administration/management work roles had significantly higher PVCT constructs and total scores than did certified staff nurses but noncertified administrators and staff nurses were not significantly different from each other. Barriers to certification listed most often related to lack of extrinsic rewards. Certification and health care organizations will need to find ways to provide extrinsic rewards if the goals of certification are to be achieved.